In a rare and culturally rich ceremony, two brothers from Indian state of Himachal Pradesh’s Hatti tribe married the same woman — a revival of the ancient and now-fading tradition of polyandry.
The unique marriage took place in Shillai village, located in the Trans-Giri region of Sirmaur district, with hundreds in attendance.
The three-day celebration, which began on July 12, saw Sunita Chauhan tie the knot with Pradeep and Kapil Negi — a union steeped in age-old customs, reported Indian media outlets.
Local folk songs, traditional dances, and sacred rituals added vibrancy to the event, now circulating widely on social media through viral videos.
The bride and both grooms emphasised that the decision was mutual and without pressure. “I knew about this tradition and chose it willingly,” said Sunita, who hails from Kunhat village. “I respect the bond we’ve formed,” she added.
Her husband Pradeep, a government employee, said, “We’re proud to follow our tradition openly.”
Kapil, who works abroad, added, “Though I live away, this marriage ensures stability, support, and love for our wife — as a united family.”
Two real brothers married the same girl, got married according to the old tradition, the ancient tradition of marrying the same girl was followed again #HimachalNews #2boysmarry1girl pic.twitter.com/90iHhKRbDr
— Ashraph Dhuddy (@ashraphdhuddy) July 19, 2025
Known locally as “Jodidara”, this form of polyandry is still recognised under Himachal Pradesh’s revenue laws. Though rare today, the practice remains socially accepted in certain areas. In Badhana village alone, five such marriages have been recorded in the last six years.
The Hatti community, declared a Scheduled Tribe in 2022, has around 300,000 people living across approximately 450 villages in the Trans-Giri belt. While polyandry is no longer widespread, it continues quietly in some villages, especially in remote areas. Similar traditions were historically common in Jaunsar Babar (Uttarakhand) and Kinnaur (Himachal Pradesh).
Village elders say such marriages now take place discreetly, though they remain socially accepted. Experts trace the origin of this practice to land preservation: marrying brothers to the same woman ensured ancestral property wasn’t divided. However, they also note that tribal women’s share in property remains a significant and unresolved concern.